Karen Mathiak for State House Georgia District 73http://weneedkaren.com
We Need Karen! Conservative Republican for GeorgiaThu, 01 Nov 2018 17:47:32 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.11http://weneedkaren.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/cropped-mathiak-site-icon.fw_-32x32.pngKaren Mathiak for State House Georgia District 73http://weneedkaren.com
3232Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program goes into Effecthttp://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/11/01/low-income-home-energy-assistance-program/
http://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/11/01/low-income-home-energy-assistance-program/#respondThu, 01 Nov 2018 17:47:32 +0000http://weneedkaren.com/?p=452The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program begins TODAY! If you are a Georgia resident aged 65 or older and are homebound you are now able to apply for assistance through this federally funded program. Below is a press release from the Georgia House of Representatives with more information. Taking care of our state’s citizens is our top priority and I am grateful that this program will be able to do just that.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program will open on November 1, 2018

ATLANTA – The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), administered by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services, will be available November 1, 2018. This federally funded program assists low-income, elderly and disabled Georgians with heating bills through direct payments to home energy suppliers.

Beginning November 1, 2018 residents aged 65 and older or those who are homebound can apply for assistance through the Department’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. All other eligible residents may apply for assistance beginning December 3, 2018. Funds are administered through local Community Action Agencies on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are exhausted.

In 2018, the LIHEAP program spent over $48 million to assist more than 140,795 clients with their heating bills. Depending on income and household size, those who qualified for the program received between $310 and $350 toward their home heating bills.

To qualify, a family’s annual income must be less than or equal to 60 percent of the median income for a Georgia family. For a household of one, the income threshold is $22,839; the income threshold for a household of five is $50,948.

Those seeking assistance must contact their local Community Action Agencies. All applicants must provide the following:

1. Most recent heating bill or statement of service from their heating providers;

2. Social Security numbers for each member of the household;

3. Proof of Citizenship for each member of the household;

4. Proof of Income for the last 30 days for each adult member of the household;

a. Proof of Income can include, but is not limited to, a paycheck stub or a letter granting public assistance, and

5. Social Security or unemployment benefits for all household members, if applicable.

For more information on the program, contact the Division of Family and Children Services at 404-6573426.

]]>http://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/11/01/low-income-home-energy-assistance-program/feed/02019 Georgia Voter Informationhttp://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/09/24/2019-georgia-voter-information/
http://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/09/24/2019-georgia-voter-information/#respondMon, 24 Sep 2018 19:30:15 +0000http://weneedkaren.com/?p=442Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting.– Franklin D. Roosevelt

Election day is just a few short weeks away! I encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote during this upcoming election! When you vote your voice is heard! And we need to hear YOUR voice! I’ve listed some helpful dates and information below for your convenience.

Voting Dates:

October 9th: Last day to register and be eligible to vote in November General Election.

October 15th – November 2nd: Early voting period.

November 6th: Election Day and the last day to vote.

Voting Information:

To register to vote or to find out if you are registered to vote click here.

]]>http://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/09/24/2019-georgia-voter-information/feed/0Georgia’s July Tax Revenues up 3.5%http://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/08/06/georgias-july-tax-revenues-up-3-5/
http://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/08/06/georgias-july-tax-revenues-up-3-5/#respondMon, 06 Aug 2018 19:16:51 +0000http://weneedkaren.com/?p=437Governor Nathan Deal announced today that Georgia’s net tax collections for July, the first month of FY 2019, totalled near $1.78 billion. This is an increase of $59.4 million, or 3.5%, compared to last year. I am excited for Georgia’s future and look forward to our continued economic growth! Check out details from the press release below or click here to read the original article.

Individual Income Tax: Individual Income Tax collections for July totaled $897.1 million, for an increase of $35.6 million, or 4.1 percent, compared to last year when Individual Income Tax collections totaled $861.5 million.

The following notable components within Individual Income Tax combine for the net increase:

Individual Income Tax refunds issued (net of voided checks) were up $29.6 million, or 34.4 percent.

Individual Withholding payments were up $53.7 million, or 6 percent.

All other Individual Tax categories, including Estimated Tax payments, were up a combined $11.5 million.

Sales and Use Tax: Gross Sales and Use Tax collections increased by $66.2 million, or 6.9 percent, over last year. Net Sales and Use Tax increased by nearly $15.1 million, or 3 percent, compared to July 2017, when net sales tax totaled almost $508.8 million. The adjusted distribution of sales tax to local governments totaled $493.6 million, for an increase of $48.9 million, or 11 percent, over last year. Finally, sales tax refunds increased by roughly $2.2 million, or 56.2 percent, compared to July 2017.

Corporate Income Tax: Corporate Income Tax collections for July totald roughly $31.9 million, for an increase of $12.5 million, or 64.7 percent, compared to last year when net Corporate Tax revenues totaled nearly $19.4 million.

The following notable components within Corporate Income Tax make up the net increase:

Corporate Income Tax refunds issued (net of voided checks) were up $1.6 million, or 9.4 percent.

Corporate Income Tax Estimated Return payments were up $12.6 million, or 48.5 percent.

All other Corporate Tax payments were up roughly $1.5 million, or 14.7 percent.

Motor Vehicle Tag & Title Fees: Motor Vehicle Tag & Title Fees for the month decreased by $5.1 million, or -15.2 percent, compared to last year when Motor Vehicle Tag & Title Fees totaled $33.6 million. Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) collections totaled almost $72.6 million, for a decrease of $8.9 million, or -10.9 percent, over last year.

]]>http://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/08/06/georgias-july-tax-revenues-up-3-5/feed/0Georgia’s New Hands-Free Driving Act Information and FAQhttp://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/06/25/georgias-new-hands-free-driving-act-information-and-faq/
http://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/06/25/georgias-new-hands-free-driving-act-information-and-faq/#respondMon, 25 Jun 2018 14:27:15 +0000http://weneedkaren.com/?p=434July 1st is a landmark day for transportation safety in Georgia when the new Hands-Free Georgia Act goes into effect. This law was passed by the Georgia General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Nathan Deal during the last session. Many questions are surrounding this new law as Georgians try to figure out what they can and cannot do with their phones while on the road. The following is a brief description of what the law states and some frequently asked questions. If you are interested in more information you can find an indepth look at the law here.

Hands-Free Driving Act

A driver cannot have a phone in their hand or use any part of their body to support their phone. Drivers can only use their phones to make or receive phone calls by using speakerphone, earpiece, wireless headphone, phone is connected to vehicle or an electronic watch. GPS navigation devices are allowed.

Headsets and earpieces can only be worn for communication purposes and not for listening to music or other entertainment.

A driver may not send or read any text-based communication unless using voice-based communication that automatically converts message to a written text or is being used for navigation or GPS.

A driver may not write, send or read any text messages, e-mails, social media or internet data content.

A driver may not watch a video unless it is for navigation.

A driver may not record a video (continuously running dash cams are exempt).

Music streaming apps can be used provided the driver activates and programs them when they are parked. Drivers cannot touch their phones to do anything to their music apps when they are on the road. Music streaming apps that include video also are not allowed since drivers cannot watch videos when on the road. Drivers can listen to and program music streaming apps that are connected to and controlled through their vehicle’s radio.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why is this law needed in Georgia?

Our state has seen significant increases in vehicle traffic crashes, fatalities and bodily injury. The vast majority of these increases have been in rear-end crashes, single-car crashes and crashes by drivers from 15 to 25-years-old. State and local law enforcement have stated that these incidents are a clear indication of driver inattention.

Could I still talk on my phone while driving?

Yes, as long as it is done hands-free. Drivers would be able to use their phone’s speakerphone, Bluetooth technology, an earpiece, a headphone or other device to allow them to communicate on a hands-free basis.

Could I touch my cellphone to dial a number or receive or end a call?

Yes. The law would simply prohibit drivers from holding or supporting the phone.

Would I be required to purchase a hands-free accessory, such as a mount or bracket?

No. The proposed law simply states that a driver cannot hold or support a mobile phone. A phone can be left on a vehicle’s console, a front seat, etc. However, for the safety of all Georgians, state and local law enforcement recommend the purchase and use of a hands-free device if using a mobile phone while driving.

Enforcement:

When the Hands-Free law takes effect July 1, the Georgia Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement will have the option to issue warnings for violations as part of the effort to educate and to help motorists adapt to the new law. However, citations can and will be issued starting July 1 for any violation of the Hands-Free Law, including those where the violation involves a traffic crash. There is NO 90-day grace period provision in the Hands-Free Law. Fines will include $50 for first conviction and one point on a license, $100 for second conviction and two points on a license, and third and subsequent convictions will consist of $150 fine and three points on a license.

The Hands-Free Georgia Act is a measure to help protect the citizens of our state. We take the protection of our citizens seriously and this law is a step forward in that direction. 13 out of the 15 other states that have adopted a similar law have seen at least a 16% decrease in traffic related deaths amd ware hopeful that the same, and more, will be said of Georgia.

]]>http://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/06/25/georgias-new-hands-free-driving-act-information-and-faq/feed/0Quality Basic Education is Fully Fundedhttp://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/05/03/quality-basic-education-is-fully-funded/
http://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/05/03/quality-basic-education-is-fully-funded/#respondThu, 03 May 2018 18:29:29 +0000http://weneedkaren.com/?p=431Nelson Mandela once said, “Quality education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” and I believe he is correct. I am excited to announce that Quality Basic Education has been fully funded. For the first time in over a decade, our state’s education budget will be fully funded!

The fiscal year 2019 budget will close a lingering gap of $167 million between what Georgia’s state education funding formula says schools should get and what has been actually given to them. The state Senate and my House colleagues each passed slightly different budgets for the fiscal year, which begins July 1, so we had to reach a compromise in a conference committee. We emerged with a budget that fully funds the Quality Basic Education Act formula! This is the first time this has happened since 2002, when former Gov. Sonny Perdue implemented “austerity” cuts.

“Fully funding QBE will help ensure all of Georgia’s students – regardless of region, county, or zip code – have access to world-class public schools,” Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle said after the agreement had been negotiated. This is a very exciting time for Georgia and her education system. I believe the effects of this will be felt statewide and will continue to be felt for generations to come. Our students today are our leaders tomorrow. I am thankful for Governor Nathan Deal, as well as my House and Senate colleagues, for accomplishing this. Click here to read the full press release from the Georgia State Capitol.

]]>http://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/05/03/quality-basic-education-is-fully-funded/feed/0Week Twelve 2018 Updatehttp://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/04/03/week-twelve-2018-update/
http://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/04/03/week-twelve-2018-update/#respondTue, 03 Apr 2018 13:33:46 +0000http://weneedkaren.com/?p=429The 2018 House Session has officially adjourned! Thursday, March 29, my House colleagues and I officially completed Legislative Day 40 and adjourned sine die. During this busy week, my colleagues and I worked late into the night to ensure that quality legislation was passed in order to benefit our state and its citizens. Here is a recap of some of the most important bills passed underneath the Gold Dome during our last week of session.

Senate Bill 127 – This bill was passed unanimously by the House and would provide a process for victims to be heard by the court when the victims’ constitutional rights to participation and information have been denied. Under this bill, if the victim of a crime makes a written request to the prosecuting attorney to be notified of all proceedings, then the victim can file a motion to the court to be heard on the matter within 20 days after the claimed violation.

Senate Resolution 146 – This resolution was passed unanimously as well and is also known as “Marsy’s Law.” This resolution would place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot to provide victims explicit rights in Georgia’s Constitution. If the amendment is approved by Georgia voters, our state’s Constitution would grant victims several rights, including: reasonable, accurate and timely notice of any court proceedings or schedule changes involving the alleged crime; reasonable and timely notice of the arrest, release or escape of the accused; inclusion in any court proceedings; the opportunity to be heard in any proceedings involving the release, plea or sentencing of the accused; and to be informed of his or her rights.

Senate Bill 154 – This bill holds those in positions of authority accountable for sexual assault by defining sexual assault in both the first and the second degree. Under SB 154, anyone who engages in sexual contact with a victim under their care or supervision would be guilty of sexual assault in the second degree and would be required to serve a prison sentence of 1-5 years and fined a maximum of $25,000. They, however, would not be required to register as a sex offender. Anyone who engages in sexually explicit conduct with a victim under their care or supervision would be guilty of sexual assault in the first degree and would be required to serve a prison sentence of one to 25 years, fined a maximum of $100,000 and must register as a sex offender. Furthermore, SB 154 provides exceptions to these sentencing requirements for offenders who commit sexual assault in either degree if the offender did not have supervisory or disciplinary authority over the victim at the time of the offense or if the victim is younger than 16-years- old; if the victim is between 14 and 16-years- old and the offender is 18-years- old or younger; and if the victim is at least 16-years- old and the offender is younger than 21-years- old. This measure would apply to employees and agents of any school, community supervision office, probation office, law enforcement agency, hospital, correctional facility, juvenile detention facility, disability services facility or child welfare and youth services facility, as well as to psychotherapy counselors and practitioners and employees, agents and volunteers of licensed facilities that provide drug and alcohol treatment, senior living care or hospice services.

Senate Bill 407 – Over the past several years, the Georgia General Assembly, under the leadership of Governor Nathan Deal, has passed significant criminal justice reform measures that have truly changed lives, and this week, the House unanimously passed the last criminal justice bill under Gov. Deal’s administration! Senate Bill 407 consists of several recommendations from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council including:

Authorizing courts of iniquity are to set bail for city ordinance violations.

In cases involving local ordinance violations, the court would be authorized to allow the defendant to satisfy any fines or fees through community service.

The Judicial Council of Georgia would develop a uniform misdemeanor citation and complaint form for use by law enforcement officials.

This bill would also expand the list of misdemeanor crimes and officer can arrest by citation, and prior to the offender’s release, the officer would be required to review the accused’s criminal record and ensure the accused’s fingerprints are obtained.

It would allow Technical College System police officers to arrest for offenses committed on or within 500 feet of a Technical College System property.

Senate Bill 427 – My House colleagues and I also passed this bill this week that would update Georgia’s child support laws. Under this bill, courts would be required to consider an obligor’s, or an individual that owes child support, earnings, income, ability to pay child support and the basic needs of the recipients of such support when making a final determination of child support. If a parent fails to produce a reliable evidence of their earnings, their income for the current year may be assigned by the court based off the parent’s ability to earn and other economic factors. If the parent is incarcerated, their income may be assigned based of their actual income and assets available, not off their pre-incarceration wages. This bill would also ensure that a child’s enrollment in a public health care program, may satisfy the health care requirement for providing for the child’s health care needs. This measure would bring Georgia into compliance with new federal child support regulations for the good of our state’s children, as well as their parents.

Senate Bill 401 – This bill seeks to equip Georgia’s students for their professional careers. Senate Bill 401 would require post secondary institutions that provide dual credit courses to provide enrollment and student record data to the Office of Student Achievement and to the statewide longitudinal data system. In addition to this the Office of Student Achievement would collect and monitor enrollment and student record data for dual credit courses and would annually measure and evaluate the dual enrollment program. This bill would also require middle school students to be provided with counseling and information to assist them in evaluating their career orientated aptitudes, and all students would develop a graduation plan with their parents or guardians based on their academic skills, career orientated aptitudes and career interests before the end of eighth grade.

House Bill 930 – This bill would create a new regional governance and funding structure for transit in the metropolitan Atlanta region. HB 930 intends to improve the coordination, integration and efficiency of transit in the metropolitan Atlanta region and promote a seamless and high-quality transit system for the 13-county metropolitan Atlanta region. These bills were both major House priorities this session.

Finally, before we adjourned sine die for the year, the House fulfilled our only legislative responsibility as outlined in Georgia’s Constitution. On Thursday, March 29, we gave final passage to the Fiscal Year 2019 (FY 2019) budget, House Bill 684, by adopting a conference committee report.

Over the next 40 days, Gov. Deal will review and sign or veto measures that received final House and Senate passage this session. Any bill the governor signs will become law, and any legislation not signed or vetoed within this 40-day period will automatically become law as well. My House colleagues and I have worked diligently this session on behalf of our constituents, and we are proud of the legislation we have crafted and passed for the good of our state. While the session is over, I will continue to serve you and your family as our district’s state representative. Please feel free to reach out to me anytime at Capitol office at 404-656-0287, or by email at karen.mathiak@house.ga.gov. You can also stay up to date by checking out my Facebook Page!

As always, thank you for allowing me to serve as your representative.

]]>http://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/04/03/week-twelve-2018-update/feed/0Week Eleven 2018 Updatehttp://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/03/26/week-eleven-2018-update/
http://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/03/26/week-eleven-2018-update/#respondMon, 26 Mar 2018 18:01:57 +0000http://weneedkaren.com/?p=427Monday, March 19th, the Georgia General Assembly joined together again under the Gold Dome for Legislative Day 36 for the beginning of the 11th week of the 2018 legislative session! By the end of the week my colleagues and I had completed Legislative Day 38. With only two Legislative Days left, my colleagues and I worked diligently to begin wrapping up the 2018 session. Here are some highlights of what the House accomplished during our 11th week!

House Resolution 1414 – We began the week by unanimously adopting a resolution that would allow us to examine how to best protect our state’s schools. As many of you know, the issue of violence in schools has been a topic widely discussed recently. We take the safety of our student’s extremely seriously and HR 1414 seeks to address these concerns and was adopted by the House in the wake of one of the deadliest mass shootings in recent U.S. history. This resolution would create a House Study Committee on School Security to study ways to curb incidences of violence, facilitate life-saving responses and provide safer learning environments for Georgia’s students, teachers and other school personnel. The study committee would explore the conditions, needs and issues associated with school security and would recommend any action or legislation it deems necessary based on its findings.

Senate Bill 139 – On Wednesday the House passed another piece of legislation that is designed to benefit the students of our state. This bill would allow local school systems, charter schools and college and career academics to develop and submit new pathways, or focused programs of study. This bill would also require the State Workforce Development Board, with input from the Department of Education and the Technical College System of Georgia, to develop and promote an annual list of industry credentials and state licenses, such as welding or computer certifications, that students can earn in middle or high school. This measure would equip our state’s middle and high school students with the resources needed to attain jobs in high-demand fields after graduation.

House Resolution 1137 – This resolution was adopted by the House and seeks to help veterans transition from military service to civilian life more smoothly. It would urge the President and Congress to enact federal legislation that would provide members of the armed forces with mental and physical health assistance prior to being discharged from the armed forces. Many service men and women suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental and emotional health conditions upon completion of service. Many of these individuals are not properly prepared to return to civilian life and this resolution could help them avoid some of the challenges many veterans face, such as homelessness. I am pleased with the work Georgia is doing in this area.

Senate Bill 331 – On Monday the House passed this bill from the Senate that would help to better protect the identity of Georgia lottery winners. Under this bill, the Georgia Lottery Corporation would be required to keep all information on lottery winners of $250,000 or more confidential upon the winner’s written request. Lottery winners are often the target of scams and several people have tragically died after winning the lottery. This bill seeks to keep their identity safe so that they may be safe, as well as their loved ones.

Senate Bill 444 – The House passed this measure that would ensure our state’s citizens with dementia related diseases are best cared for. SB 444, also known as the “Senator Thorborn ‘Ross’ Tolleson, Jr., Act,” would establish the Georgia Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias State Plan Advisory Council to advise the governor, the General Assembly, the Department of Human Services and all other state agencies on the state’s Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias State Plan. The goal of this council would be to ensure that the state’s focus remains on implementing and amending the goals of the state plan.

Senate Bill 402 – Finally, on Friday the House passed Senate Bill 402, the “Achieving Connectivity Everywhere (ACE) Act,” which would lay the groundwork for expanding broadband services throughout the state by promoting public-private partnerships. Under the ACE Act, the Georgia Technology Authority would be authorized to create any programs or policies needed to coordinate statewide broadband implementation efforts. SB 402 would ensure that all Georgians, and particularly our state’s rural citizens, have access to a reliable, high-speed internet connection.

Next week is the 12th and the final week of the 2018 legislative session, and the Georgia General Assembly will adjourn sine die on Thursday, March 29. With only two legislative days remaining, my House colleagues and I will be working hard next week to pass meaningful, good legislation for our state and its citizens. This final legislative week will surely be the busiest week of the entire session, and I urge you to contact me if you have any questions, concerns or input on any measures being considered in either the House or the Senate. I can be reached at my Capitol office at 404-656- 0287, or by email at karen.mathiak@house.ga.gov. Or you can stay up to date on my Facebook Page.

As always, thank you for allowing me to serve as your state representative!

]]>http://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/03/26/week-eleven-2018-update/feed/0Week Ten 2018 Updatehttp://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/03/19/week-ten-2018-update/
http://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/03/19/week-ten-2018-update/#respondMon, 19 Mar 2018 18:46:00 +0000http://weneedkaren.com/?p=425My House Colleagues and I completed Legislative Day 35, our tenth week, on Thursday March 15th. It’s hard to believe that we only have five working days remaining of the 2018 session! This week was very busy, as we met with in our respected committees and passed measures from the Senate in the House Chamber. Here are some details of all that we covered.

Healthcare

Senate Bill 357 – This week, the House passed SB 357 in an effort to better coordinate state health care policies in order to address the unique health challenges facing our state. This bill is also known as “The Health Act,” and would establish the Health Coordination and Innovation Council of the State of Georgia under the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget to streamline and coordinate all components of our state’s health care system. This council would bring together academic, industry and government experts and leaders to share information, coordinate the major functions of Georgia’s health care system and develop innovative approaches to stabilize costs and improve access to quality health care. This would be an 18-member council.

Senate Bill 118 – This bill was passed unanimously by my House Colleagues and I. SB 118 is a measure that would ensure children with autism in Georgia have access to vital treatments and therapies needed to lead full and healthy lives. This bill would increase the age of coverage for autism spectrum disorder treatments from six-years- old to 20-years-old and would increase the coverage limit from $30,000 to $35,000 a year. In addition, this bill would require insurers to provide coverage for applied behavior analysis. If signed into law, SB 118 would take effect on January 1, 2019. This bill would greatly benefit our state’s autistic youth and their families. I am excited to see how so many lives will be changed for the better if the bill is signed into law.

Elder Abuse

Senate Bill 406 – Cases of elder abuse have risen significantly across the state in recent years. In response to this, the House passed SB 406 in order to address this alarming trend. This bill would create the Georgia Long-term Care Background Check Program, which would require elder care providers in personal care homes, as well as other assisted living facilities, to undergo comprehensive, fingerprint based criminal background checks. If SB 406 is signed into law, the background check requirement would take effect on Oct. 1, 2019, for new applicants and on Jan. 1, 2021, for existing employees and owners. In addition, under SB 406, the Department of Community Health would establish and maintain a central caregiver registry so that a family member or guardian looking to hire a personal caregiver for an elderly person could access information on eligible and ineligible applicants and employers.

Economic Development

House Resolution 1376 – HR 1376 urges the House Rural Development Council (RDC) to solicit input from Georgia’s hospitals on their financial conditions, including profitability, community benefit, cash revenue and viability projections for hospitals in financial crisis. Georgia’s hospitals are extremely important to the areas they serve. They play a key role in a community’s economic development and provide indigent care to those in need. This measure would provide the RDC with valuable information needed to help our state’s rural hospitals flourish.

Education

Senate Bill 330 – This bill creates Georgia Agricultural Education Act. Under this bill, Georgia’s agricultural education programs for students in grades 6-12 would be required to be based on the nationally recognized three-component model of school based agricultural education. This model would consist of daily classroom and lab instruction; hands on, experimental learning through a supervised agricultural experience program; and leadership and learning opportunities through participation in agricultural education programs, such as the Georgia Future Farmers of America Association. This agriculture educational program would provide our students with valuable and unique learning opportunities outside of the traditional classroom setting.

Military

Senate Bill 395 – This bill passed the House unanimously this past week. This bipartisan bill would establish the 18-member Georgia Joint Defense Commission, which would be responsible for advising the governor and the Georgia General Assembly on state and national-level defense and military issues; recommending policies and plans to support the long-term sustainability and development of Georgia’s active and civilian military; developing programs to enhance communities’ relationships with military installations; and serving as a task force to prepare for potential base realignment or military installation closures in the state. The council would submit an annual report to the governor and the Georgia General Assembly on the state of Georgia’s military installations, as well as a tactical plan for navigating a possible base realignment or military installation closure. Finally, this bill would establish the Defense Community Economic Development Grant Program to assist military communities with projects, events and activities that promote military installations. The Joint Defense Commission and the Defense Community Economic Development Grant Program would help to further strengthen Georgia’s military-friendly reputation, bolster our state’s military installations and ultimately enhance the quality of life for Georgia’s active-duty military members and veterans.

Senate Bill 82 – This bill would allow members of the Georgia National Guard or reserve component of the United States Armed Forces located in Georgia to be classified as legal residents under eligibility requirements for HOPE scholarship grants. This expansion only applies to Georgia National Guard or reserve members who are stationed in Georgia or those who list Georgia as his or her home of record. SB 82 allows the brave men and women who serve in the Georgia National Guard and the reserves to reap the same educational benefits as their active duty military counterparts.

Brunch Bill

Senate Bill 17 – Finally, the House passed SB 17, also known as the “Brunch Bill.” This legislation would allow local governing authorities to authorize alcoholic beverage sales beginning at 11 a.m. on Sundays, subject to the passage of a local referendum. This bill would only apply to licensed establishments that derive at least 50% of their total annual gross sales from food sales or room rentals for overnight lodging. If SB 17 is signed into law, it is estimated that it should increase sales by approximately $100 million and generate $11 million in additional state and local taxes. This measure would not change existing local alcohol sales laws, but it would allow voters to decide whether or not to approve of early Sunday sales within their communities.

With just five legislative days remaining until we adjourn sine die, the 2018 session is quickly coming to a close. It is more important than ever that you reach out to me to express any concerns or share any input you have regarding pending legislation. I highly value your thoughts and opinions, and I want to know what you, your family and our neighbors think about legislative matters that impact our community and our state. I can be reached by phone at 404-656-0287, or by email at karen.mathiak@house.ga.gov. Or you can stay up to date on my Facebook Page!

As always, thank you for allowing me to serve as your state representative.

]]>http://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/03/19/week-ten-2018-update/feed/0Week Nine 2018 Updatehttp://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/03/13/week-nine-2018-update/
http://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/03/13/week-nine-2018-update/#respondTue, 13 Mar 2018 19:48:00 +0000http://weneedkaren.com/?p=423My House colleagues and I reconvened Monday, March 5, for the ninth week of the 2018 legislative session. The majority of our legislative work this week was accomplished in committee hearings as my colleagues and I reviewed bills proposed by the Senate. In addition to reviewing these bills, we also took up several pieces of legislation on the House Floor. The most important of these bills is the Fiscal Year 2019 (FY 2019) state budget.

The Georgia General Assembly is required by the constitution to pass a balanced budget each year. On Friday, March 9, the House passed House Bill 684, the FY 2019 budget. This year’s state budget is $50.85 billion and will guide our state’s spending from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019. The budget was determined by an estimated revenue of $26 billion, which is an increase of $1.03 billion, or 4.1%, over last year’s budget. Each portion of the budget was reviewed carefully by the House Appropriations Committee in order to guarantee that state dollars are going towards our state’s needs. Some of the most significant budget allotments in the FY 2019 budget are the following.

House Rural Development Council (RDC)

The FY 2019 budget allocates state funding towards a wide range of initiatives to assist our rural communities based on the RDC’s recommendations. Some of this funding is specifically aimed at boosting economic development in rural Georgia. These include:

Providing funding for soft skills training and character education development for rural Georgia’s lowest performing schools.

A mobile audiology clinic to provide audiological care to children in rural Georgia.

I am proud that the House has prioritized the needs of our rural communities and have allocated state dollars to help support and revitalize not only these communities and to help Georgia as a whole thrive!

Education

Education is always one of our top priorities when considering the budget and this year is no exception. 55.9% of the entire state budget is allocated to education. Some details of the education portion of the state budget are:

$119.5 million for K-12 enrollment growth and training and experience for an additional 6,552 students and 1,869 teachers across the state.

$361.7 million for the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) to support 117,957 retired and 218,193 active TRS members.

Funding for two Advanced Placement exams, one STEM exam and one non-STEM exam, for low income students, as well as dollars for the new Chief Turnaround Officer program to help Georgia’s schools in most need of assistance.

$1.6 million for student mental health awareness training program. This includes response and intervention training, for students in preschool through the 12th grade.

$111 million for the University System of Georgia enrollment growth and increased square footage.

$5.5 million for the Technical College System of Georgia enrollment growth and increased square footage.

$65.3 million for 27,832 more HOPE and Zell Miller public scholarships.

$8 million for school security grants to improve security in Georgia’s schools.

We take the education of our Georgia citizens seriously and I am excited to see the continued progress of our educational system!

Healthcare

Healthcare costs also make up a significant portion of the FY 2019 budget. The health and well being of our citizens is very important to us. Here are some details of the healthcare portion of the budget.

The budget provides $16.9 million for a 4.3% provider rate increase for nursing homes.

These highlights are just some of the items in Georgia’s FY 2019 budget, and the state budget in its entirety reflects the diversity of our state’s citizens, needs and opportunities. The state budget was the biggest legislative item on the House’s agenda this week, but we also passed several other noteworthy measures on the House floor.

Senate Bill 2 – “The FAST Act – Fairness, Accountability, Simplification and Transparency – Empowering Our Small Businesses to Succeed.” This bill seeks to enhance accountability, expedite local government permitting processes and reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses by removing certain regulations that make it more difficult to conduct business in Georgia. SB 2 would allow the Department of Community Affairs to establish “Ready for Partnership Georgia,” a voluntary best-practices certification program for each county and municipality in the state. For the past several years, the House has passed many pro-business measures, which have greatly contributed to Georgia being named the best state for business for five consecutive years, and SB 2 would strengthen our state’s business-friendly reputation and help Georgia’s businesses, and especially our small businesses, to excel in our state!

House Resolution 1225 – This resolution would benefit rural Georgia, as well as rural communities across the country. This resolution urges Congress to pass the Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act. This act would make permanent the federal Railroad Track Maintenance Tax Credit, also known as the 45G tax credit, which would be used for rail improvement and enhancements. The 45G tax credit, which expired in December 2016, allowed short line and regional rail lines to claim 50 cents for every $1 spent, up to $3,500, per mile on track improvements. The BRACE Act would greatly benefit rural Georgia, as short rail lines provide jobs and promote economic growth in Georgia’s rural communities. Georgia’s freight rail network provides $2.4 billion in direct economic impact, and establishing a permanent 45G tax credit would incentivize continued rail maintenance and improvements and would positively impact the rural areas of our state and our country.

House Resolution 1162 – This resolution was unanimously adopted for the benefit of Georgia’s schools, teachers and students. This resolution would establish the House Study Committee on the Establishment of a State Accreditation Process to explore whether a state accreditation process for Georgia’s public schools and school systems should be formed. Currently, there is no state entity that is responsible for accrediting Georgia’s primary and secondary public schools and local school systems, and as a result, most of these schools and school systems seek accreditation through private organizations. The five-member study committee would:

Explore the resources and structure needed for a state accreditation entity, as well as any obstacles that would need to be addressed.

Analyze ways to align accreditation review with charter renewal for charter systems and contract renewal for strategic waivers school systems

Examine the possibility of establishing a state process to annually review system charters and contracts

Study potential consequences of losing state accreditation

Explore the possibility of establishing a school board review commission.

Should the study committee adopt any specific findings or recommendations, including suggestions for proposed legislation, the study committee’s chairperson would file a report by Dec. 1, 2018, the date upon which the study committee would be abolished. This study committee would ultimately help our state determine if a state accreditation process would be beneficial to our education system, and I am looking forward to hearing the committee’s findings next year!

House Bill 159 – I am excited to tell you that on Monday, March 5, Governor Nathan Deal signed HB 159, the Adoption Bill, into law! This bill will significantly update and modernize our state’s adoption laws for the first time in nearly three decades. The new adoption laws will increase efficiencies in every aspect of Georgia adoption, and these additions and revisions to our adoption code will bring Georgia up to speed with the rest of the country. Our state’s updated adoption code will benefit every family going through the adoption process and every child in Georgia in need of adoption, and this groundbreaking legislation will go into effect on Sept. 1, 2018!

With only eight legislative days remaining until we adjourn sine die, the General Assembly is in the final stretch of the 2018 legislative session.The last day of session, is Thursday, March 29, and although we only have a few weeks left to finish our legislative business, my colleagues in the House, as well as our Senate counterparts, will be hard at work to ensure that we pass meaningful legislation for the people of our great state! Until then please feel free to contact me to voice any concerns or questions you have on any legislation up for consideration in the House or the Senate. I can be reached at my Capitol office at 404-656-0287, or by email at karen.mathiak@house.ga.gov.

As always, thank you for allowing me to serve as your state representative!

]]>http://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/03/13/week-nine-2018-update/feed/0Week Eight 2018 Updatehttp://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/03/06/week-eight-2018-update/
http://weneedkaren.com/index.php/2018/03/06/week-eight-2018-update/#respondTue, 06 Mar 2018 13:59:44 +0000http://weneedkaren.com/?p=421On Monday, February 26th, the House and I began our eighth week at the Georgia State Capitol for the 2018 legislative session. This week was undoubtedly the busiest week of the 2018 legislative session so far. On Wednesday, the 28th, we reached legislative day 28, which is also known as Crossover Day. Crossover day was the critical deadline in the General Assembly where any piece of legislation could pass out of its original chamber and still remain eligible for consideration by the opposite legislative chamber.

My colleagues and I worked diligently and well past midnight on Crossover day to pass many important House Bills for the state of Georgia. To update you as of now, all the measures that have passed the House this session are now being considered by our Senate counterparts, while we begin to review legislation that has been passed by the Senate.

House Rural Development Council:

As we’ve already discussed, the House Rural Development Council, was created last session in order to focus on creating legislation to spur economic growth in the more rural areas of our state. This past week the House passed several important measures for this goal. They are as follows:

House Bill 951 – This bill passed overwhelmingly with bipartisan support. This bill would create the Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation (CRPI) in order to serve as a central information and research hub for rural leadership training and best practices, including models, industry-specific assistance and cooperative efforts with nonprofits, religious organizations and other higher education partners. The CRPI would be located within a college or institution of the University System of Georgia that awards Bachelor of Science degrees in rural community development and the president of the college or institution would appoint a center director to be approved by a majority vote of the Georgia Rural Development Council. The 12 member Georgia Rural Development Council would offer guidance to to the CRPI, as well as study the conditions, needs, issues and problems that are affecting rural economic development, education, unemployment and infrastructure.

House Bill 887 – This bill was passed by the House Wednesday and it implements several recommendations from the House Rural Development Council. This bill would seek to expand broadband and other communications services throughout the state by establishing the Georgia Communications Services Tax Act. House Bill 887 would allow municipal corporations electrical membership corporations to provide broadband service in unserved areas within its corporate limits. It would also establish the Local Government Communication Services Fair Competition Act of 2018 to encompass all communication services, not just cable service. This would require franchising authorities to meet several requirements prior to allowing public providers to deliver communication services, thus ensuring fairness, transparency and accountability amongst communications services providers. This week, my House colleagues and I passed legislation to expand Georgia’s medical

Healthcare

House Bill 764 – This week the House also passed HB 764 in order to expand Georgia’s medical cannabis oil program in order to help more suffering Georgians. This bill would add two additional illnesses to the current list of qualifying medical conditions for patients to be treated with low THC oil. These illnesses are post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and intractable pain. These eligible individuals could apply for Georgia’s Low THC Oil Registry under the Georgia Department of Public Health at the recommendation of their physicians, and once approved, such individuals would receive and identification card exempting them from prosecution in Georgia for possessing medical cannabis oil that meets our state’s requirements. These individuals could legally possess a maximum of 20 fluid ounces of cannabis oil with a maximum of 5% THC in Georgia.

Hidden Predator Act

House Bill 605 – My House colleagues and I also unanimously passed a bipartisan measure that would update Georgia’s Hidden Predator Act. This bill would hold negligent individuals or entities who conceal child abuse accountable for these actions. This bill would also extend the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse cases from age 23 to age 38. In addition to this, HB 605 would lengthen the discovery time period from 2 years to 4 years for a victim who experiences psychological or emotional problems as a result of child sexual abuse to report such abuse. The last aspect of this bill is that it would establish a one-year period for a childhood sexual abuse victim to file civil actions against an entity if the entity: was responsible for the victim’s care; knew or should have known of the conduct that brought about the civil action; or intentionally or consciously concealed evidence of sexual abuse. These changes seek to acknowledge that the effects of childhood sexual abuse can be latent, and the updated Hidden Predator Act would align Georgia’s laws with what scientific research and what real world experience have taught us about sexual abuse cases. I am pleased with all the progress Georgia is making in this area.

Public Safety

House Bill 673 – As a response to the alarming rise in automobile accidents and fatalities in recent years, which is most likely due to increased cell phone usage, my House colleagues and I passed HB 673. This bill would prohibit drivers from holding, supporting or reaching for a wireless telecommunication device or stand-alone electronic device while operating a vehicle. This measure would also ban drivers from texting, browsing the internet or watching or recording videos. Drivers will be permitted to use GPS navigation and voice-to-text features on their devices. Anyone convicted of violating this proposed law would be fined and charged with a misdemeanor. Moreover, first-time offenders would receive a 2- point deduction on their driver’s license, and the bill would establish a staggered point deduction system for repeat offenders. This measure intends to decrease automobile accidents, injuries and fatalities and would make our roads safer for all Georgia commuters!

Security and Identity Theft

House Bill 866 – This bill was passed Monday in response to the increasing cases of identity theft and credit fraud. This legislation would prohibit credit reporting agencies from charging a fee for freezing or unfreezing a consumer account and empower Georgians to protect their identity and credit accounts without being financially burdened with fees.

Military

House Bill 718 – This bill was passed unanimously by my House Colleagues and I. This legislation would benefit our state’s military families by allowing schools to grant students up to five excused absences to attend military affairs sponsored events if a student’s parent or guardian currently serves or previously served in the armed forces, Reserves or National Guard. This bill would require students to present proper documentation prior to the absence, and absences may not exceed five days per school year for a maximum of two years. All school systems would be required to adopt this excused absence policy.

Georgia Transit

House Bill 930 – I first introduced this bill in my Week 6 blog post. The updated progress on this bill is that the House has overwhelmingly passed this vitally importation transportation measure by a vote of 162-13! This bill seeks to improve transit in the metropolitan Atlanta region by facilitating transit coordination, integration and efficiency and promoting a seamless and high-quality transportation system for the area. The bill would create the Atlanta-region Transit Link (ATL) Authority to coordinate transit planning, funding and operations within 13-county metro Atlanta region and would establish state and local funding sources to improve transit access. This comprehensive transportation measure is a product of the House Commission on Transit Governance and Funding and would have a lasting and positive impact on the metro Atlanta region for generations to come. I’m excited to see what comes of this!

The General Assembly has officially passed the Crossover Day deadline, and from this point forward, my House colleagues and I will be considering Senate measures in our respective committees and passing such measures in the House Chamber. Legislative Day 40, our last day to conduct business for the 2018 legislative session, is quickly approaching on March 28! I hope you keep this in mind so that if you have any input regarding any pending legislation you will contact me. I welcome your thoughts and opinions, and I encourage you to reach out to me anytime. My Capitol office phone number is 404-656- 0287, and my email address is karen.mathiak@house.ga.gov. You can also keep up to date with me on my Facebook Page.

As always, thank you for allowing me to serve as your state representative!